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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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Culture

Poor Choice, Poor Condition

April 25, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

to all who have ears to listen
and eyes to bear witness
sometimes poor is a choice
sometimes poor is a condition

this is how the poor escapes being impoverished

up your consciousness
not your superficial followers
look beyond the obvious
and reap intuitive providence
understand the temporal veil
natural law and each cause and consequence
transcend western oppressive doctrines
and the temptation of cerebral dominance
rising to the knowing of the Intelligence-of-the-Heart
to realize your promise and prominence

this is how the poor escapes being impoverished

Filed Under: Culture, Mercy, Spirit, Trauma

I know I am, but so are You

April 10, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

institutionalization
is conformity
systems indoctrinate institutions
institutions administer people
systems classify organizations and organisms
people are organisms
people create organizations
people are products of systems
society is a system
prison is a system
just in case my intentions aren’t clear
society, you are institutionalized too
and I’m the prisoner
you seek to reform and adjust
from my imprisoned institutionalization
to cohabit an environment
and be blindly institutionalized like you
but if you can’t recognize it
maybe I should be less like you
instead of seen as
less than you
because clearly
at least one of us
as a more realistic
and developed, point of view
so, I know I am
but if you don’t realize that you are
then what are you?

Filed Under: Culture, Inside, Trauma

Constructive Criticism

April 8, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

constructs
critics
and isms

if one can gain proper perspective
then no answer can be unpleasant
nor an irreconcilable difference

this life is
rife with heart-filled opinions
a perfected blemish

builders
visionaries
and framers

radicals
conformers
and norms

contributors
consumers
and constitutions

construction
observance
and occupation

constructs
critics
and isms

eyes
of the many
beholders

egoistical perspectives
limitless love displayed
in one of its limited ways

though the heart is rightful king
the mind still may reign
so light shed, can appear like shade

but wisdom can be found
if sought, even in contradictions
so let them have their constructive criticism

constructs
critics
and isms

let go and let
people have their
mind-filled dominions-

…opinions
everybody has one
that constructs something at least

Filed Under: Culture

Here’s a Radical Thought

April 4, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

for mental liberation
western thought
must be eradicated!
for the new Babylon
has reigned its ways
across the four winds
and no corner is left unaffected
history is not a tale of progression
it is one of degression
further and further from its source
spiritual malnutrition has set its course

Filed Under: Culture

Black Me, White Antagonism

March 29, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

why is black love
synonymous with white hate
why is black liberation
synonymous with white replacement
why is black power
synonymous with white fear
why is black anything
synonymous with white fear

Filed Under: Culture, Trauma

To each Generation Regenerated

March 25, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

“I got an oat, stuck in my throat”
and from my voice
till the field I yield
for there’s a seed at your feet to reap
so-to-speak

Filed Under: Culture

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Prose of a Con

Prose of a Con is a collection of Russell Wardlow’s prose and poetry written entirely behind bars. Through writings on family, spirituality, freedom, love, justice, redemption, and vulnerability, Russell seeks to show the humanity and hope of individuals like himself who are incarcerated.

Read More

  • Whose Mind is it Anyway June 30, 2022
  • Objects June 30, 2022
  • Same Thang, Different Name June 30, 2022
  • Optical Ill-lusions June 30, 2022
  • Hollow Symbols June 30, 2022

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